20th Annual Indigenous Graduate Student Symposium | March 17 – 18, 2023
Please join us in commemorating the 20th anniversary year of the Indigenous Graduate Student Symposium (IGSS)! This year’s symposium will be hosted on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Territory at The University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus and virtually on March 17-18, 2023, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (PST).
Register here: https://IGSS2023.eventbrite.ca
View the full updated & final event program here.
This years’ IGSS theme Honouring Research, Honouring Community, acknowledges and celebrates how Indigenous students, scholars, peoples and communities continually transform and reframe the practice of research, highlighting how Indigenous researchers reimagine, revitalize, nurture, embody and action this process. Participants will learn how this work is more than a simple act of inquiry and is a sacred process and critical intervention for protecting, restoring and honouring our community relations that are human and more-than-human. As always, the IGSS celebrates Indigenous research and ways of knowing as reciprocal, respectful, and connected to community.
We are excited to announce and welcome not one but two keynote speakers for the 20th Annual IGSS: Dr. Jo-Ann Archibald and Dr. Amy Parent.
DAY ONE KEYNOTE:
Dr. Jo-Ann Archibald, Professor Emeritus of Educational Studies at UBC, is an Indigenous studies scholar from the Sto:loFirst Nation, and a co-founder of the IGSS and the Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) program. She is a visionary agent of change who helped start this all with Māori academic leader Dr. Graham Smith. An alumna of The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, Dr. Archibald has trailblazed systematic change and pathways for the advancement of Indigenous Education in Canada and beyond. We are honoured to welcome Dr. Archibald back into the circle to serve as the first keynote speaker for this year’s 20th-anniversary symposium.
DAY TWO KEYNOTE:
We are also honoured to welcome Dr. Amy Parent back into the circle as a SAGE alumni and faculty mentor. Dr. Amy Parent, Nisg’a scholar, Canada Research Chair for Indigenous Education and Governance, and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at SFU, has further trailblazed significant contributions and meaningful outcomes in support of Indigenous self-determination through community-based research. Her doctoral work at UBC focused on proactive ways to transform Indigenous students’ transitions to higher education, and her postdoctoral work investigated Indigenous doctoral programming supports and initiatives at top-tier universities around the world. Mentored by Dr. Jo-Ann Archibald for over 14 years, her research is grounded in Indigenous methodologies through collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities.
20TH ANNIVERSARY SUB-THEMES
This year’s sub-themes further reflect the incredible array of emerging Indigenous graduate student research and contributions, which exemplify the nuances of Honouring Research, Honouring Community. Our 20th-anniversary sub-themes include:
- A) Centering Indigenous Paradigms, Knowledges and Research Practices,
- B) Renewing & Reimagining Knowledge Transmission: Past, Present, Future,
- C) Nurturing the Relationship between Community & Research, and
- D) Embodying & Actioning Interventions through Indigenous Research
The 2023 IGSS brings together an exciting group of Indigenous graduate students from diverse fields, disciplines, communities and institutions; it’s a great opportunity for making new connections! All are welcome to participate as attendees.
The 20th Annual IGSS is supported by the following sponsors and partners: Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement, UBC Faculty of Education & Office of Indigenous Education, UBC Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, UBC Okanagan Campus, UBC First Nations House of Learning, SFU Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, and SFU Indigenous Studies.
If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Jordan at sage.ubco@ubc.ca.
About the organizers:
This annual event is organized by the Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement program and co-sponsored by The University of British Columbia and Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies at Simon Fraser University. The IGSS is a long-standing annual student-led event that provides a culturally relevant and supportive community for Indigenous graduate students to present on their research and contributions spanning any discipline. It fosters community-building and networking among peers and participating emerging and established scholars. It is an important platform for Indigenous students to connect and learn from one another, and grow professionally and academically.
For any questions about the IGSS, email sage.ubco@ubc.ca
2023 IGSS AGENDA
Day 1: FRIDAY, MARCH 17th, 2023
First Nations House of Learning (Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall)
| First nations House of Learning (Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall) | |
| 8:30 am – 12:30 pm | Registration, Coffee & Tea |
| 9:00 am – 10:30 am | Indigenous Initiatives Showcase (In-Person Only) |
| 10:30am – 10:45am | Break (15 min) |
| 10:45 am – 12:00 pm | Indigenous Initiatives Showcase (in-Person Only) |
| 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm | Lunch provided (Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall) (45 min) |
| 12:45 pm – 1:15 pm | Welcome Protocol |
| 1:15 pm – 1:30 pm | 20th Anniversary Opening Remarks |
| 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm | 1st Keynote Address – Dr. Jo-Ann Archibald |
| 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm | Discussion and Q&A with Dr. Jo-Ann Archibald |
| 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm | Break (15 min) |
| 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Graduate Student Presentation: “Indigenous Wellbeing through the Eyes of Our Ancestors”Roger John, UBC |
| 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Graduate Student Presentation: “Strengthening Our Resilience through Land Based Teaching & Learning”Laura Grizzlypaws, SFU |
| 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm | 20th Anniversary Closing Remarks for Day 1 |
Participants and attendees are encouraged to socialize and network after the day’s events. Dinner will be on your own. There are several restaurants on the UBC campus and in the area.
Day 2: Saturday, March 18, 2023
First Nations House of Learning (Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall) & Jack Bell Building
| First nations House of Learning (Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall) | |
| 8:30 – 9:00 am | Registration, Coffee, Tea & Poster Viewing |
| 9:00 – 9:15 am | Welcome with Elder Knowledge Holder |
| 9:15 – 9:45 am | 2nd Keynote Address – Dr. Amy Parent |
| 9:45 – 10:15 am | Discussion and Q&A with Dr. Amy Parent |
| 10:15 – 10:35 am | Break & Transition to Jack Bell Building (20 min) |
| Jack Bell Building – Graduate Student Presentations (Various Rooms) | |
| 10:35 – 11:05 am | Session 1: 4 Concurrent Sessions (30 min) |
| 11:05 – 11:10 am | Transition Time (5 min) |
| 11:10 – 11:40 am | Session 2: 4 Concurrent Sessions (30 min) |
| 11:40 – 11:45 am | Transition Time (5 min) |
| 11:45 – 12:15 pm | Session 3: 4 Concurrent Sessions (30 min) |
| 12:15 – 12:30 pm | Break & Transition to First Nations house of Learning |
| First nations House of Learning (Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall) | |
| 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Lunch provided (Informal Networking Opportunity & Poster Viewing) |
| 1:30 – 1:45 pm | Break & Transition to Jack Bell Building (15 min) |
| Jack Bell Building – Graduate Student Presentations (Various Rooms) | |
| 1:45 – 2:15 pm | Session 4: 4 Concurrent Sessions (30 min) |
| 2:15 – 2:20 pm | Transition Time (5 min) |
| 2:20 – 2:50 pm | Session 5: 4 Concurrent Sessions (30 min) |
| 2:50 – 3:00 pm | Break (10 min) |
| 3:00 – 3:30 pm | Session 6: 4 Concurrent Sessions (30 min) |
| 3:30 – 3:35 pm | Transition Time (5 min) |
| 3:35 – 4:05 pm | Session 7: 4 Concurrent Sessions (30 min) |
| 4:05 – 4:20 pm | Break & Transition Back to Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall (15 min) |
| First nations House of Learning (Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall) | |
| 4:20 – 5:00 pm | Closing Remarks/ Protocol |
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
The 20th Annual Indigenous Graduate Student Symposium brings together an exciting group of Indigenous graduate students from diverse fields, disciplines, communities and institutions. A total of thirty-two student presentations will be featured, showcasing Indigenous graduate student research and community contributions at various stages. Two graduate student presentations will be featured on day 1, Friday, March 17th, at the First Nations House of Learning Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall. The majority of student presentations will take place on day 2, Saturday, March 18th, in four breakout rooms of the Jack Bell Building. Abstracts will be available online soon at gradsage.com.
Student Presentations at a Glance
(Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall)
| Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall- Graduate Student Presentations | |
| March 17th 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm | “Indigenous Wellbeing through the Eyes of Our Ancestors” Roger John, The University of British Columbia |
| March 17th 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | “Strengthening Our Resilience through Land Based Teaching & Learning” Laura Grizzlypaws, Simon Fraser University |
| March 18th Poster Viewing | “Researching Self-Determined Space Connected to Land in the Arctic: Indigenous-Led Architecture in Sámi Territory Robyn Adams, The University of British Columbia |
March 18th, 2023 (Jack Bell Building)
Student Presentations at a Glance – Continued
| Jack Bell Building – Graduate Student Presentations | ||||
| Sub-theme (Stream) | Stream 1: | Stream 2: | Stream 3: | Stream 4: |
| Centering Indigenous Paradigms, Knowledges & Research Practices | Renewing & Reimagining Knowledge Transmission: Past, Present, Future | Nurturing the Relationship between Community & Research | Embodying & Actioning Interventions through Indigenous Research | |
| Location | Room 222 | Room 124 | Room 223 | Room 224 |
| Session 5: 2:20 pm – 2:50 pm | Group-Based Indigenous Storywork to Witness Indigenous Students’ Experiences with Campus Recovery Support Services Jennifer Doyle, University of British Columbia (In-Person Presenter) | Reimagining Knowledge as Gardening: Planting Seeds of Knowledge & Imagining Future Blossoms Holly Reid & Justin Turner, University of British Columbia (In-Person Presenters) | Indigenous Network Researchers’ Perceptions of Readiness to Practice Indigenous Health Research Tyara Marchand, University of Calgary (Online Presenter) | Restful Reflection: Collaborative, Arts-Based Rest Practice as Decolonial Resistance Dani Pierson, University of British Columbia Okanagan (In-Person Presenter) |
| Session 6: 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Unraveling Métis Theory & Methodology Shannon Field, University of British Columbia (In-Person Presenter) | Métis Moon Time & Decolonizing Women’s Body Image Hanna Paul, University of British Columbia Okanagan (In-Person Presenter) | Me7 knucwentwécw-kt e k7épes Cara Basil (University of British Columbia), Barb Pesut, Doreen Johnson, Lisa Bourque-Bearskin, Dixon Sookraj (In-Person Presenters) | Instructions Have Been Provided: Actioning Foundational Commitments to Indigenous Peoples in the BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer Jorden Hendry, University of British Columbia (In-Person Presenter) |
| Session 7: 3:35 pm – 4:05 pm | Incorporating Indigenous Ways of Knowing into Architecture & Engineering Design & Delivery Danilo Caron, University of British Columbia (In-Person Presenter) | Knowledge & Contemporary Effects of Historical Trauma on American Indian & Alaska Native People Jennifer Yazzie, Utah State University (Online Presenter) | Me7 knucwentwécw-kt e k7épes (continued) | When Culture Touches an Object: The U.S. Antiquities Act as an Antiquated Tool – Case Study of Bears Ears National Monument Milagros Mutsios-Ramsay, Yale Law School/University of British Columbia (In-Person Presenter) |
Indigenous Initiatives Showcase Booths
March 17th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
| First nations House of Learning (Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall) |
| Indigenous Graduate Initiatives Indigenous Enrolment Services UBC Press Physical Therapy PhD candidate in Faculty of Education Indigenous Mental Health and Wellness UBC 23 24 Indigenous Cultural Safety Graduate Program in Neuroscience Mining Engineering PhD Student UBC Campus Vision 2050 Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies UBC Office of Research Ethics First Nations Curriculum Concentration Move U Crew UBC Economics Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement UBC Equity and Inclusion Office UBC Indigenous Architecture students – iLands UBC AISES Chapter Faculty of Dentistry |
SAGE - University of British Columbia 